Investigation continues into OWU student’s death

An official cause of death for an Ohio Wesleyan University student who was found dead Saturday will not be available for weeks, police said Sunday.

Delaware Police Chief Bruce Pijanowski said Sunday that while the autopsy will take some time, police would try and have an update on the investigation today.

City officials report the body of Luke Anthony Gabbert, 19, of Lewis Center and a freshmen at OWU, was found Saturday at 10:24 a.m. in the Delaware Run creek off South Franklin Street.

The cause of death has not been determined, officials said.

Ohio Wesleyan University President Rock Jones said in a statement Sunday that there has been no indication of foul play.

“This is an exceptionally sad and difficult moment for the Ohio Wesleyan family,” Jones said. “Please join me in sending our deepest sympathies to Luke’s family and his many friends among the campus community.”

Jones said the university’s chaplain’s office and counseling services staff were available for students Sunday. Jones said the university will share information about services when it is available.

The Transcript student newspaper reported that Gabbert was a soccer player and a new pledge of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

“We are currently working on an investigation with the city and should be able to release additional details soon,” Robert Wood, director of OWU’s public safety, told The Transcript Saturday.

The Transcript said an informal service was held on The Hill Saturday afternoon. White paper bags to write memories on and votive candles were provided to students.

Gabbert graduated from Olentangy Orange High School in the spring of 2015.

Gabbert was a soccer player at Ohio Wesleyan.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/02/web1_Luke-Gabbert.jpgGabbert was a soccer player at Ohio Wesleyan.

By Glenn Battishill

gbattishill@aimmedianetwork.com

Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.